Spoke-socket and felly-fastener.



P. H. BREEDING. SPOKE SOCKET AND FELLY FASTENEB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9, 1913.

1,100,348, Patented June 16,1914.

1mm W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL I-I. BREEDING, OF NEAR ELDORADO SPRINGS, MISSOURI.

SPOKE-SOCKET AND FELLY -FASTENER.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, PAUL H. BREEDING, a citizen of the United States, residing at near Eldorado Springs, in the county of Cedar and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spoke-Sockets and Felly-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for attaching wheel spokes to the fellies and for connecting or joining the fellies.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device capable of use in repairing spokes which have become broken from the fellies, and to furnish in such device means for connecting the fellies together and with a spoke by removing, or without removing the broken-oft portion of the spoke remaining in and between the fellies. Such device also being capable of use in the manufacture of vehicle wheels so that the spokes do not have to be tenoned into the fellies, but the fellies are connected together and with the spokes by means of my improved device.

With these and various other objects, advantages, and improved results in view, the invention consists in striking from a single piece of sheet metal the device forming the subject matter of this application, and comprising a connecting yoke for the fellies, such yoke forming a spoke-seat and a sup port for a spoke-clamping collar.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this application: Figure l is a plan view of a metal plate from which the device is produced. Fig. 2 is an edge View showing the plate bent preparatory to applying the device to a wheel. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a wheel showing the application of the device. Fig. 4 is a central vertical section. Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line b-b Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a section on line aa Fig. 5.

The same reference characters denote the same parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The device is produced from a single piece of sheet metal, preferably from plate steel of suflicient strength and flexibility for bending or shaping the parts into proper position.

The plate is rectangular and is cut centrally at A and B for a portion of the length of the plate so as to form an upper portion 1, and a lower portion 2. Said por- S pecification of Letters I'atent.

Application filed June 9, 1913.

Patented June 16, 1914. Serial No. 772,680.

tions being bendable at right angles to each other on the dotted line C and the upper portion 1, is bowed centrally so that the ends thereof extend over the central portion of the lower portion 2. Said ends have a slot 3 cut therein the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. It will be seen that the upper portion .Of the plate has a pair of slotted wings 4, and that the lower portion of the plate has a pair of flanges 5, provided with holes 6, for rivets 5 Preparatory to applying the plate either for repairing a wheel or to a new Wheel, the flanges 5 are bent on the lines D into parallel position so as to form a Ushaped clamp adapted to fit over the adjacent ends of tel-- lies 7 and 8, and the flanges 5 are secured to said felly ends by rivets 5 extending through the fellies adjacent to the outer face or tread thereof so that the felly joint is covered at the top by the flange-joining member 9 of the clamp, and the sides of the joint are covered by said flanges. The clampqnember 9 also forms a seat for the outer end of the spoke l0, and a support for the wings 4, as will be hereinafter eX- plained.

The top portion 1 is bowed to conform with the spoke and the wings 4 are bent across the member 9 and around the spoke and the ends of the wings are locked together and to the spoke by means of a locking-piece 12 fitting a groove 13 in the spoke and extending through the slots 3, where the ends of the piece 12 are clenched down upon the ends of the wings. A slight cutout 14 is made in the fellies directly under the member 9, for the purpose of inserting therein an element suflicient to raise the member 9, and thereby tighten the spokes in the event of the spokes becoming loose in the wheel hub.

The size of the sheet plate forming the clamp is predetermined by having the length of the plate the same as the width of the felly plus twice the depth of the felly and plus twice the circumference of the end of the spoke to be clamped, and by having the width of the plate measure one-third less than the length of the plate. Obviously this is highly essential in the practical preparation and application of the device.

Vhether the device be used for repair purposes or in the manufacture of wheels, it will be seen that the U-shaped portion thereof makes a continuous brace for the fellies from one edge to the other of a wheel tire l5, and by reason thereof and the fact that the securing rivets 5 extend through the fellies adjacent to the tread of the wheel, the usual spreading of the folly joints is prevented. It will also be observed that the spoke is immovably fixed by reason of the locking-piece being seated in the spoke groove, and that the device is self-bracing through out.

It is obvious that such wheel defects as too great or too little dish, loose rim, and loose or broken spokes, may be cured by the application and manipulation of this device, without removing or disconnecting the tire from the felly or other spokes.

I do not wish to be understood as contining myself to any particular size or material in the production of this device, nor to be restricted in the application thereof, but reserve to myself the right to make such changes and variations therein and in its practical application as may come within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A device for joining wheel fellies and spokes composed of one piece of bendable metal the size of which is predetermined according to the dimensions of the spokes and fellies and comprising a spoke seat having felly flanges bent downwardly from the sides of the seat, a spoke flange bent upwardly from one edge of the seat between the side flanges, flexible wings projecting from the spoke flange and bendable over the seat and having a slot extending from the said spoke flange to the free end of the wings, wing locking pieces formed by the metal in making said slots, and means for securing the felly flanges.

2. The combination, with a wheel spoke having a transverse groove adjacent to the outer end thereof, and wheel fellies having a cut out in the inner periphery and at the joining ends thereof, of a device for connecting the follies together and with the spokes comprising a single piece of sheet metal cut and bent to form felly flanges, a spoke seat joining the flanges, :1 spoke clamp having a portion extending vertically from one edge of the seat between the flanges, slotted wing portions extending from the vertical portion over the seat and resting thereon, a locking piece fitting the spoke groove and engaging the slots of the wings, means insertible in the cut outs and under the seat for varying the position of the seat, and means for attaching the folly flanges.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PAUL H. BREEDING.

Witnesses:

F. K. HARRIS, TM. S. MARTIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

